After rugged back-to-back road dates against powerhouses, the banged-up 49ers get to host a powder puff to end the regular season.

The Cardinals (5-10) will limp into Candlestick Park on Sunday with 10 losses in their past 11 games, and they've recently shown all the telltale signs of a dead team walking.

For starters, there was the offer-no-resistance loss: Arizona's 58-0 defeat at Seattle on Dec. 9 was the worst in the franchise's 93-year history.

There is the get-me-the-heck-out-of-here unhappy camper: Running back Beanie Wells, who is under contract for 2013, said he'll be using Sunday's game "to audition for a job somewhere else."

There is the his-days-could-be-numbered head coach: "There's nothing I can do about that," Ken Whisenhunt said this month of his job status. "We all know what this business is."

And, finally, there is the it-can't-get-any-worse lineup move: After three predecessors threw 10 touchdowns and 19 interceptions, quarterback Brian Hoyer, signed 20 days ago, will make his first career start Sunday.

Of course, it's hard to puff up such a struggling opponent, but Jim Harbaugh has done his best. Asked if the Cardinals could still be considered "dangerous," the 49ers coach gamely observed that they had nothing left to lose.

"Sometimes in a game like this, anything goes," Harbaugh said. "And their mind-set will be to win the game. So, you have to be ready. You have to be alert for just about anything. Could be a new quarterback, could be a new offensive system. Anything's possible."

In contrast, the 49ers (10-4-1) have plenty to gain.

With a win, they would secure their first back-to-back division titles since they won four straight from 1992-95 and, at worst, they would host a wild-card playoff game next week as the NFC's No. 3 seed. With a win, coupled with a loss by Green Bay (11-4) at Minnesota, they would earn the No. 2 seed and a first-round bye.

The 49ers could desperately use a week off to get healthier and assimilate some new faces who are being pressed into service. With four players landing on injured reserve since late November, San Francisco's depth has been significantly depleted.

Similarly, there is the injury-ravaged defensive line. Tackle Justin Smith, who has a partially torn triceps, will attempt to return for the postseason. Reserve tackle Demarcus Dobbs (knee) is out for the year, and backup tackle Will Tukuafu (neck) is questionable for Sunday. If Tukuafu can't play, the 49ers will dress five defensive linemen, including former undrafted free agents Ian Williams (15 snaps) and Tony Jerod-Eddie, who was promoted from the practice squad Friday.

Given their injuries and last week's 42-13 loss to Seattle, new and nagging questions have arisen as the 49ers prepare to enter the postseason.

Most notably, what's become of an imposing defense that's been toothless since Smith left in the second half of a 41-34 win at New England on Dec. 16?

Inside linebacker and team captain Patrick Willis acknowledged Sunday's game against a desultory opponent represented a chance for the wobbly 49ers to rediscover their swagger.

"We have a great defense," Willis said. "I really believe that, and a few times we've gone out this year and haven't displayed that. When you have what we have on our defense, you should be able to go out and show it each time. From this point on, starting this Sunday to whenever it's over for us, we have to make sure we go out there and do it on a consistent basis."

Playoff scenarios

The 49ers can be the second, third or fifth seed in the NFC playoffs, depending on Sunday's results. Here's how:

SECOND: If the 49ers win and the Packers lose or tie, the 49ers would get a first-round bye.

THIRD: If the Packers win, the 49ers can win the NFC West and earn a first-round home game with either a win or a Seahawks loss. They would host the NFC's second wild card team.

FIFTH: If the 49ers lose and the Seahawks win, the Seahawks would win the NFC West and the 49ers would visit the NFC East champion in the first round.

Cardinals at 49ers

1:25 p.m., Channel: 2 Channel: 40 (680, 107.7)

Spotlight on: WR Randy Moss. Fellow wideouts Mario Manningham and Kyle Williams are on injured reserve, and tight end Vernon Davis is questionable because of a concussion sustained last week. With the pass-catching options dwindling, will Moss, hailed as a model teammate throughout the season, begin to earn similar raves for his on-field performance? It's been an odd season for Moss, who has flashed glimpses of his Hall-of-Fame form, but has just 26 catches for 406 yards and three TDs in 15 games. Part of the reason for his modest production is his playing time. At 35, he has averaged 25.2 plays a game. The 49ers might be forced to play Moss more Sunday - and in the postseason - with Ted Ginn Jr. (1 receiving yard) and A.J. Jenkins (0 catches) serving as the No. 3 and No. 4 wide receivers. With Moss possibly poised to assume a more prominent role, here's an interesting note: He's had one touchdown in each of his five career games against the Cardinals.

Injury notes: 49ers - As noted, Davis is questionable and didn't sound particularly optimistic about his chances of playing when he spoke with reporters Friday; reserve DT Will Tukuafu (neck) is questionable. Cardinals - Starting rookie LT Nate Potter (ankle) is questionable; WR Early Doucet (concussion) is out.

Big 3

-- Say this for 5-10 Arizona: It can defend the pass. The Cardinals rank second in the NFL in interceptions (22) and third in passing yards allowed (195.7), and quarterbacks have a league-low 68.5 passer rating against them. The secondary is headlined by five-time Pro Bowl safety Adrian Wilson and cornerback Patrick Peterson, who is tied for second in the NFL with seven interceptions.

-- And say this for the Cardinals: They can't pass. Arizona, which has used four quarterbacks, has thrown the second-fewest touchdown passes (10), posted the worst passer rating (62.5) and is tied for the most interceptions (20) in the NFL. Brian Hoyer will make his first career start Sunday after he was signed on Dec. 10.

-- With 19.5 sacks, Niners OLB Aldon Smith needs 3 1/2 sacks to break the NFL's single-season record of 22 1/2 set by Michael Strahan in 2001 (Also on the cusp is Houston's J.J. Watt, who leads the NFL with 20 1/2). The Cardinals have allowed an NFL-high 56 sacks. No team has surrendered more since the 2006 Raiders (72). Smith had two sacks against Arizona on Oct. 29.